Improvement in bungs



F. W; R RTSHAW.

ngs.

No. 196,042. Patented Oct. 9, I877.

Witnesses I I nventm".

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERIO W. ROBERTSHAW, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BUNGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,042, dated October 9, 1877; application filed August 16, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIO W. ROBERT- SHAW, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bungs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such. as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a bottom view.

This invention relates to vent-bungs, and consists in an ordinary wooden bimg having a vent-hole bored in it, covered at the bottom by an elastic strip fixed across the bottom by a wire, gum band, or string passing around the end of the bung in a groove, leaving the face or surface of the bimg unobstructed.

A designates one of the common wooden bungs, in which I bore a vent, I), nearly through, and into it a lateral vent, b, is bored from one or both sides. The lower edge of the bimg A is formed with a sunken groove, 0, as shown. Across the end of the bimg A, and covering the mouth of vent b, I stretch an elastic strap, (1, whose ends are lapped down across the groove 0, and are there firmly held by means of a wire, giun band, or cord, 0, which lies in the groove, and does not project or obstruct the conical siuface of the bung. Being fast at both ends, strap (1 will not get loose, and in working its return to its seat is always assured.

This bung being driven into place in a barrel or keg, liquor is easily drawn, for when the decreasing contents require air, it is taken in automatically through the vent b b, the strapvalve 01 yielding to the effort of the atmosphere to maintain equilibrium. Brewers cannot afford to use expensive vent-bungs, and, consequently, the old-fashioned bung is still in favor; but the vessel must be vented, and this is now done by looseningthe bung; but then the bungs get lost, and such losses amount to something annually; but with my bung cheapness is secured, as it costs but a fraction additional, and it never needs to be loosened in drawing, thus avoiding the chances of loss. The lateral branching of the vent permits the hard driving required without injury. A small section of metal tubing, f, maybe driven into the lower end of the vent, whose lower edge then forms a smooth seat for the valve. The saving in bungs would soon compensate for the slight additional cost of the making of my improvements.

What I claim as my invention is- The improved vent-bung consisting in the wooden bung A, having vent b b, groove 0, metal tubing f, and elastic strap d lapping the groove at both ends, and attached by the wire or other band 0, arranged in combination substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of August, 1877.

FREDERIG W. ROBERTSHANV.

Witnesses Tnos. J. MCTIGHE, A. V. I). WATTERSON. 

